Mar 25

Nick Crighton, Senior Manager of Business Development with Des Nedhe Group, will speak to the evolving policy landscape and the growing role Indigenous capabilities and partnerships are playing across Canada’s defence and security sector. He’ll be joined by Jordan Baptiste, President of Creative Fire, who will share perspectives on partnership models advancing Indigenous participation and ownership.

You will hear from the panelists regarding the Government of Canada’s vision for a strong Canadian defence industry for a secure and prosperous Canada. As it advances Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, the Government of Canada will be guided by a clear vision: A robust Canadian defence industry that provides technological and operational advantage to the Canadian Armed Forces and its security partners in their mission to defend Canada, and maximizes growth, job creation and economic benefits for all Canadians. Make sure you add the DIS panel discussion to your itinerary to see how you can play an important role in Canada’s defence industry.

As the defence environment rapidly evolves, the ability to move innovation from concept to operational capability has never been more critical. At DEFSEC, Calian will introduce Calian VENTURES, Canada’s first defence innovation orchestrator—designed to accelerate high-potential Canadian technologies into mission-ready solutions for the modern battlefield. This session will explore why the timing is right for a new orchestration model that connects SMEs, operational needs and defence programs. Attendees will also hear how Calian’s C5ISRT interoperability capabilities are enabling real-world development through our first VENTURES partner, Tactiql, demonstrating how emerging technologies can be integrated, scaled and delivered faster to support Canadian and allied forces. Join us to see how VENTURES is transforming innovation into operational advantage.

What does it take to modernize one of the most complex, regulated, and mission-critical organizations on the planet? Tom Soderstrom did exactly that at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as IT Chief Technology and Innovation Officer — and the lessons apply directly to Canada’s defence industry today. Now a Global AWS Executive in Residence, Tom has guided digital transformations across highly regulated industries worldwide. In this keynote, he’ll share a practical recipe for cutting through bureaucracy, accelerating delivery, and building resilient, sovereign-ready capabilities — without waiting years for the perfect conditions. Whether you’re a small business trying to compete for DND contracts, a prime navigating complex procurement, or a defence leader looking to modernize your team, Tom’s keynote will give you real tools, real customer stories, and a clear path forward. Build Smarter. Move Faster. Be Limitless. — and find out how Canada’s defence industry can lead the way.

The conversation about national defence in Canada is taking on a new sense of urgency. This is a time of significant challenge and meaningful opportunity. Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army, says that the ingenuity of industry is essential to building a modernized Army that is strong, proud, and ready to meet this moment.

Canada’s allies and adversaries are integrating AI into defence operations at a pace and scale Canada has not yet matched. Meeting Canada’s NATO commitments and the future demands of the Canadian Armed Forces requires sovereign AI capability — built in Canada, by Canadian companies, for Canadian operations. This panel marks the public launch of the Canada AI Platform (CAIP) Defence Coalition — a founding alliance of Canadian defence technology companies purpose-building the sovereign AI technology the CAF requires. Moderated by Duncan Stewart, Special Executive Advisor Innovation, Canadian Joint Forces Command, the panel brings together Geoff Gordon, CEO Denvr; Eliot Pence, CEO Dominion Dynamics; and Al Dillon,CEO Sapper Labs — Founding Members of the CAIP Defence Coalition. Panelists will discuss how a coordinated coalition of Canadian companies is delivering world-class AI-enabled capability to the CAF, with active programmes in development and a path to rapid field deployment.

An overview of the five major sites including Skunkworks Canada, and the economic and industrial benefits of Lockheed Martin in Canada.